My financial adviser sent this to me recently, so I thought I would share:

First:

Three Keys to Greatness by Jim Rohn (attached). The focus was on teenagers, but it definitely applies to adults as well. Enjoy the short read.

Three Keys to Greatness by Jim Rohn

Eight years ago I went into the studio and recorded a 56-minute video for teenagers
called “Three Keys to Greatness.” Although my focus was for teenagers, the principles I
shared certainly apply to adults as well.

Recently I was asked to list these three keys using a couple sentences for each. Now
for your benefit here they are again.

1) Setting Goals. I call it the view of the future. Most people, including kids, will pay the
price if they can see the promise of the future. So we need to help our kids see a well-
defined future, so they will be motivated to pay the price today to attain the rewards of
tomorrow. Goals help them do this.

2) Personal Development. Simply making consistent investments in our self-education
and knowledge banks pays major dividends throughout our lives. I suggest having
a minimum amount of time set aside for reading books, listening to audiocassettes,
attending seminars, keeping a journal and spending time with other successful people.
Charlie “Tremendous” Jones says you will be in five years the sum total of the books
you read and the people you are around.

3) Financial Planning. I call it the 70/30 plan. After receiving your paycheck or paying
yourself, set aside 10 percent for saving, 10 percent for investing and 10 percent for
giving, and over time this will guarantee financial independence for a teenager.

If a young person, or for that matter an adult, focused on doing these three simple
things over a long period of time I believe they will be assured success!

—Jim Rohn

Second:

What we try to do for clients is basically summarized in this 3 part blog from Success magazine. I hope you find it as beneficial as I did.

I was inspired this week reading this story about all of the assistance given to our heroes coming home from military service. As well as this story about Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki being committed to veteran success.

I recently read The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara and liked it so much, I picked up Gods and Generals by his son Jeff. It was so cool to go to Gettysburg and actually see where those fateful events took place (although I did get some sort of eye infection while there). I also wrote the following as part of a class project.

While reading the book The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, I had great
difficulty choosing one character who exhibited the best leadership
qualities during the Battle of Gettysburg. Each of the leaders had
tremendous attributes as well as flaws. Most leaders from both sites were
similarly trained and many went to West Point together. Ultimately, I chose
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain based on his determination to excel, his ability
to make things happen, and his focus on people. These qualities make
Chamberlain widely regarded as being a great leader.

The quality of excellence is at the core of every great leader. Colonel
Chamberlain showed tremendous determination to excel as seen by his
continuing to fight after being wounded an incredible six times. Along the
same lines, Chamberlain also had an ability to overcome difficulties placed
in his way. A good example of this ability is seen in the interaction
between Chamberlain and the one hundred and twenty mutineers from the Second
Maine. The speech he made was very moving and he was able to turn a
liability into an asset as the Second Maine agreed to fight with him.

Chamberlain, professor of rhetoric before the war, had a great ability to
learn as evidenced by his ability without military training to recruit his
own regiment and lead them to victory on Little Round Top. With this
capacity to acquire knowledge, he was able to accomplish great things. He
never considered retreat as on option.

Colonel Chamberlain had a knack for guiding people to good behavior. He
showed profound respect for the individual. Chamberlain had constant
respect even for those with whom he did not agree. The ultimate example of
this is while receiving the Southern surrender at Appomattox, he calls his
troops to attention to salute the defeated South.

Overall, Chamberlain was a good example of Mission first; people always. He
had many other great qualities not mentioned in this paper such as
selflessness, integrity, and honor. A true citizen soldier, he had the
skills and character that make a great leader who is able to influence
people to achieve more than they thought possible. Chamberlain was a master
at solving problems and mitigating risk; a true description of what a leader
should do.

If I offered you a choice between being an architect for $75,000 a year and working in a tollbooth every day for the rest of your life for $100,000 a year, which would you take? I’m guessing the former, because there is complexity, autonomy, and a relationship between effort and reward in doing creative work, and that’s worth more to most of us than money.

I think he jumps to that conclusion a bit too easily. I would opt for the money and security of the tollbooth. To see if I am off my rocker, I consulted my best advisor (the wifey) and she also chose the latter. So, are we both odd, is it a cultural thing, an age thing? Is it because I have a big family? Why does Gladwell’s assumption leave me feeling like something is wrong with me?

Working on words for my 15th wedding annivesary out loud. Tell me what you think.

A lot of of guys are wondering what I did to trick a girl like this to marry a guy like me. All I can say is that God knows what is best and He put us together. I thought my 20 year old bride could not get any better, but after 15 years, she is more beautiful than ever. She is a great mother to my children, a wonderful wife, and an awesome person. I am lucky just to know her and call her my friend.